July 15/06 11:15 am - Cyclist Charged for Riding on Sidewalk

On Tuesday afternoon, July 11, just after 3 p.m. officers from Traffic Services attended at Wellington Street East and Nicholas Avenue for a motor vehicle collision involving a bicycle and a van. A 16-year-old youth was operating a bicycle along the sidewalk on the north side of Wellington Street East. A van operated by a 33-year-old male had stopped at the stop sign at Nicholas Avenue and was turning right onto Wellington Street East when the two vehicles collided. The operator of the bicycle was taken by ambulance to the Sault Area Hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The investigation is continuing.

News release - July 13 update:

Officers from Traffic Services have completed their investigation into this collision. The cyclist has been charged under Sault Ste. Marie Bylaw 77-200-person over the age of 10 years ride bicycle on sidewalk.

The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would like to remind citizens of this bylaw when it comes to riding your bicycle on the sidewalk. The total fine is $60.

However, the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service would also like to remind motorists that when travelling on the roads and streets of our City, that cyclists have as much right to the roadway as a motor vehicle. This means that there is a need to share the travelled portions and not to crowd into the cyclist. Both motorist and cyclists must obey the rules of the road including the need for cyclists to travel in the same direction as motor vehicles, not against them.

Many cyclists tend to ride their bicycles on the sidewalk due to heavy vehicular traffic on busy streets. One option that can be looked at is to take an alternate route. This would mean travelling on the less busy streets to get to your destination and even though it may not be the most direct route it may alleviate some concerns and you will get a little more exercise.